Chapter 2: In Which I Enter the Lion's Den Wearing a Smile
You ever walk into a room and instantly realize you've made a huge mistake?
Yeah. That wasn't me.
Because when I stepped into the classroom and noticed I was the only guy, I didn't freeze up or freak out. Nope. I just laughed internally like I'd stumbled into some kind of reality show challenge. "Survive 100 Girls Without Dying of Awkwardness."
'Most guys would kill for this,' I thought, scanning the room full of confused, curious, and vaguely amused expressions. 'But in the end, all it really means is front-row seats to the drama.'
I strolled to my seat near the middle like I owned the place, dropped my bag with the grace of someone who'd done this a thousand times, and leaned back in my chair. Calm. Collected. Ready for anything.
The girls, however, were not ready for me.
Whispers spread like I'd just stepped off a spaceship.
"Hey, you're Song Jae Gu, right?" A girl with short brown hair and bright eyes leaned in, eyeing me like I was a rare Pokémon she wasn't sure how to catch.
I nodded. "That's me."
Instant squeals. Not the loud kind, but the contained excitement kind, like this was the most action their homeroom had seen all year.
"You're way more handsome than I expected," said another girl, a little too surprised for my ego. "Did you, like, model before?"
I blinked. "Nope. Just training."
"Training?" asked a girl with glasses. "Like… gym stuff?"
I gave her a lopsided smile. "Something like that."
That was all it took. Suddenly, I was mysterious. Dangerous. That rare breed of guy who didn't try too hard or flinch under pressure. I wasn't trying to be cool—but apparently, not trying was cool.
Then came the million-credit question.
"So…" one girl hesitated. "We heard what happened with Moon Young outside."
Oh, boy.
Another girl, this one with sleek black hair and a stare that could slice steel, leaned in. "Why her? I mean, Queen is... well, Queen. She's the strongest. The most beautiful. The most untouchable. But you went for Moon Young?"
Every eye in the room turned to me like I was on trial for crimes against campus royalty.
I didn't flinch. I just rested my chin in my palm and shrugged.
"I don't look at people for their titles," I said. "Moon Young caught my eye first, so I said what I felt."
The room collectively forgot how to breathe.
"She's not even the prettiest," one girl argued, arms crossed like she was defending a thesis.
I tilted my head, my smile easy and annoying in the best way. "Beauty's subjective. And strength?" I gave them a look that had a few girls straighten up in their seats. "Strength is attractive too."
Boom. Verbal critical hit.
You'd think I'd just thrown rose petals in the air and declared a national holiday.
Some girls muttered things like "kinda cool" or "he's not like the others," and a few subtly scooted their desks closer. Suddenly, I was being asked about everything—my training, my fight with Moon Young, if I had a girlfriend, if I liked girls who were stronger than me (spoiler: I do).
And through it all, I smiled.
Not because I was flirting. Not even because I was trying to win anyone over.
I just liked honesty. And chaos.
And this school? This school had plenty of both.
-----------------
The director's office looked like the kind of place that tries way too hard to be zen. Traditional wooden furniture, a handful of potted plants acting like they owned the place, and the faint smell of fresh soil mixed with whatever mystery cologne the director was wearing. The window was cracked open just enough to let in some crisp morning air—and maybe a rogue bird or two.
Behind the desk was Director Charles Wild, who seemed more interested in his plants than the nervous old guy standing across from him. The guy—let's call him Principal Cranky—was bald except for a few wispy white hairs, and he was busy dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief like this whole situation was one bad math test he couldn't pass.
"Director, the student Song Jae Gu has arrived at school," Principal Cranky said, voice all strained and worried, like he was announcing the arrival of an alien invasion or maybe just a kid who forgot his homework.
Charles didn't even look up. "That's good," he said with this weird mix of amusement and maybe a hint of 'this is going to be fun.' His golden hair caught the sunlight, making him look like he'd just stepped out of a shampoo commercial or some high-budget fantasy flick.
The principal shifted, clearly uncomfortable. "Director… do we really have to do this? Our school was doing fine, thank you very much. Then you go and decide to accept male students…" He sighed like he'd just lost his favorite pen. "I think you should rethink this whole thing."
Charles finally set down the watering can—because apparently, watering plants is his stress relief—and turned with a slow, deliberate smirk. "Principal," he said, hands clasped behind his back like he was about to drop some ancient wisdom, "the decision has already been made. Has it not?" He chuckled—a low, amused sound that made it clear he was enjoying the discomfort. "HoHo~"
The principal frowned hard. "Yes, but—"
"No buts," Charles cut him off with a dismissive wave. "Change is necessary. Wild's High has been the top combat school for female students for years, but the world's moving fast. Stand still, and you get left behind."
The principal's mouth twitched like he wanted to argue but knew better. "...And this Song Jae Gu?"
Charles turned back to his plants, pretending they were the most fascinating thing in the room. "Hmm? What about him?"
The principal blew out a frustrated breath. "He's not just some ordinary guy. His confidence, his physique, his presence—it's all too much. He's already turning heads."
Charles chuckled again, like he was in on a joke no one else got. "Indeed. Very interesting, isn't he?"
The principal's eyes narrowed. "You planned this, didn't you?"
Charles just smiled, looking out the window at the school grounds like he was watching a game already in motion.
"Let's just say… I have high expectations for this young man."
------------------
At first, my new life wasn't exactly a highlight reel. Honestly? It was worse than the last one. I had to work for everything, piece together some sense of purpose, and drag around the weight of memories that felt like rusty chains. Memories of friends I'd lost, friends whose fates were probably worse than mine—and the worst part? I had no idea what had become of my old world. It was like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing.
But I crawled out of that darkness. Not for me, but for my new family.
My new dad had died from some terminal illness nobody wanted to talk about. Left behind a wife who looked like she was about to break, and three kids who were suddenly supposed to grow up overnight. Mom was drowning in frustration, that silent kind you only notice when it's too late. Fragile as a glass sculpture. So, I stepped up. Took on the job before things went off the rails, made sure my younger siblings got the home they deserved. A stable one. A loving one.
Now? Things aren't so bad. The past feels far away—like some old nightmare you can barely remember in the daylight. Yeah, some memories still lurk in the shadows, but they don't have the power to drag me under anymore. I've built something new. Something worth fighting for.
And this? This whole school situation? Let's just say it's interesting.
I'm sitting there, casual as ever, leaning back like I own the place. Except I don't—yet. But I'm watching. My classmates? The only classmates? Girls. Every single one of them. They're shooting me looks like I'm an alien dropped into a Barbie convention. Some are subtle, sneaky glances. Others? Well, let's just say they're not exactly trying to hide their curiosity.
Honestly, can you blame them? When's the last time they saw a guy around here?
'Well,' I think to myself, 'they probably haven't.'
I'd heard about Wild's High before signing up—this elite all-girls combat school that just barely decided to throw a guy into the mix. Guess I'm it. The one and only. No wonder the stares feel like lasers.
But here's the thing—I'm not sweating it. If anything, it's kinda funny. Back in my old world, I was too busy being a training maniac to care about romance or whatever. Now? This body, this face? It's like the ultimate cheat code.
I don't even have to try, and suddenly I'm the magnet.
I learned pretty quick to play along—dates, charming boyfriend-for-hire gigs, you name it. Yeah, some might say it's manipulative, but hey, I'm not asking for free stuff. I'm investing in my future, and if some rich girls want to throw money at me for company, who's gonna say no?
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. 'Slow and steady,' I remind myself, chin resting on my hand like some old philosopher. 'Make friends, build alliances, don't look like a gold digger right off the bat.'
The lesson drones on, but the stares? They don't stop. Girls whisper and giggle, exchanging those 'what's up with that guy?' looks. Others just stare straight at me like I'm the school's latest mystery.
And honestly? I'm kinda digging the attention.
---------------
When the bell finally rang for break, I felt it—a weird shift in the air, like someone had just flipped the 'chaos' switch. The moment the teacher shut the door behind her, the room erupted into a low buzz of whispers and stolen glances. And those eyes? Oh, man. They weren't just curious. They had that gleam—the kind you see in hunters who just spotted their next meal.
Then, just when I thought it couldn't get any better, the announcement came crackling over the speakers:
"To help the young ladies of Wild's High become more refined and feminine, a challenge has been set forth. Any student who successfully invites Song Jae Gu to lunch will receive special privileges, including a week of free snacks and priority access to training facilities. May the best lady win!"
My eye twitched so hard I'm pretty sure it was auditioning for a starring role in a horror movie.
'This principal…' I thought. Flattering? Sure. But those looks? They weren't the soft, shy "Hey, wanna grab a sandwich?" kind of looks. No, this was full-on "You're dinner" mode.
'I see what he meant by Wild…'
Then it happened. The stampede.
Chairs scraped, desks rattled, and suddenly hands were reaching for me like I was the last slice of pizza at a party.
I didn't even hesitate. Grabbing my bag, I ducked and weaved through the chaos like a ninja on roller skates. But these girls? They weren't just students. They were fighters, trained fighters, and determined fighters.
"He's getting away!" someone shouted.
"Block the exits!"
I sighed. Seriously, they were treating this like a full-on battlefield maneuver.
Without missing a beat, I vaulted through the open classroom window.
Gasps echoed behind me. Victory, right?
Wrong.
Because right in my path, standing like a human roadblock, was one of the more experienced fighters—probably a second- or third-year—ready to pounce.
No problem. I pushed off the window ledge with one hand, flipped midair like I'd practiced in some action movie, and barely dodged her attempt to grab me.
Landed with a smooth spin, turning back to find her crouched, scowling, and ready for round two.
I chuckled. "You know, usually people ask before they jump straight to ambush tactics."
She blinked, then snapped back, "You're the only guy here. Do you really expect things to be normal?"
Before I could fire back, more girls poured out like a tidal wave of hungry wolves. Some even jumped from windows, rolling into sprints. Others scrambled up balconies, clearly going for the high ground.
'Okay, wow. These girls are seriously well-trained,' I thought, ducking a leg sweep that would've put me on the floor if I wasn't quick.
Then Moon Young's voice rang down from above, "Jae Gu, stop running! We just want to have lunch with you!"
"That's a lie!" I called, barely dodging a lasso made from a jump rope. "You're not inviting me! You're hunting me!"
But apparently, that distinction was lost on them.
Time to switch tactics.
I skidded to a stop so fast a few girls slammed on the brakes, eyeballing me like I'd just grown a second head.
I put a hand on my hip, letting out a long breath like this was all just a minor annoyance.
"Alright, ladies," I said, trying to sound smooth and nonchalant. "Let me teach you how to properly invite a guy to lunch."
A beat. A few confused looks.
I pointed to one of the second-years. "You. Come here."
She shuffled forward, clearly unsure if she was about to be lectured or recruited for some secret mission.
"Now," I stood a little taller, doing my best teacher impression, "instead of chasing me through the school like a wild animal, try this."
I clasped my hands and tilted my head slightly. "'Jae Gu, would you like to have lunch with me?'"
She hesitated, then gave it a shot, "Uhh… Jae Gu, would you like to have lunch with me?"
I nodded. "See? Not so hard."
She muttered, "…But it's not as fun."
I groaned.
Moon Young crossed her arms and said, "I get what you're saying, but this method is too slow. If we wait to ask, someone else might beat us to it. That's just common sense."
Several girls nodded, like this was the most logical thing in the world.
I gave them my best deadpan stare. "This isn't a combat mission."
"That's exactly what someone who doesn't want to win would say," one of them muttered.
I sighed, rubbing my temples like I'd just been handed a calculus test without any warning.
Welcome to Wild's High. The only school where lunch is a full-contact sport.